Bonneville Salt Flats Racer Dies During Record-Setting Attempt in World's Fastest Piston-Powered Car
An official press release from the organizers posted to Facebook states that Chris Raschke was attempting a speed record when he lost control of his land speed vehicle around two and a half miles into the run. Raschke was treated by medical professionals at the scene but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Event officials say the cause of the incident remains under investigation. Reporting from Hot Rod indicates that the vehicle Raschke was driving went airborne prior to the crash.
Raschke was behind the wheel of the "Speed Demon," a purpose-built land speed vehicle that has dominated the high-velocity scene in recent years, setting more SCTA class records and FIA International speed records than any other vehicle in the sport's history. The first Speed Demon was built in 2010 and was powered by a Kenny Duttweiler Hellfire V-8 engine, achieving 426 mph in 2011 and 439 mph in 2012. The second iteration of the Speed Demon made its biggest mark in 2020, when the 3155-hp rocket managed a 470-mph record run with thrust from a 557 cubic-inch twin-turbo V-8, and the third iteration made its official debut earlier this week at Bonneville Speed Week. Originally conceived by George Poteet, the Speed Demon was vying to be the first piston-driven vehicle to hit the 500 mph mark, and Raschke was nominated to be its pilot after Poteet's death in 2024.
"At this time, we ask everyone to please respect Chris's family, friends, and the Speed Demon team. We are deeply devastated," a statement from Speed Demon 715 team reads.
A resident of Ventura, California, motorsports was a principle part of Raschke's life. He spent 13 years working with the Speed Demon team, 29 years as the Director of Sales and Marketing at engine parts manufacturer ARP, and was the first official employee of Ventura Raceway. News of his death spread quickly among the motorsports world on Monday morning, with colleagues and friends remembering Raschke as a pillar of the land speed and aftermarket parts community.
"Chris Raschke was admirable in all the best and truest senses of the word. He was a pillar of an industry, he was a skilled operator of one of the fastest wheel driven cars in history, and he was, like so many of us, fully consumed with cars and the universe around them. As I reflected on his passing yesterday at Bonneville, I kept coming back to admiration as my overriding feeling about who he was, how he handled himself in business, and how he was forever willing to entertain questions and discussions on racing, fasteners, and other worldly topics," Brian Lohnes, lead broadcaster for NHRA on Fox, wrote in a memorializing Facebook post. "There are some people who gain notoriety in any industry by being the loudest and biggest person in the room. Chris was not that man. His actions, the pursuit of his passions, and the fact that everyone who knew the guy knew that he carried a love of all things with round wheels and loud engines cemented his place as a true leader by example in the aftermarket."
Racing was suspended around 4 p.m. Pacific time yesterday following the crash. A Facebook post from the Southern California Timing Association indicates that Bonneville Speed Week will resume today, August 4. This is a developing story and we will be sure to update it as we learn more, but we extend our sincerest condolences to the Raschke family and his colleagues at Speed Demon and ARP.
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